Ground effect machine



Aug. 20, 1963 I .4. DE RDbER 3,l0l,125

AGROUND EFFECT MACHINE I F i led July 27. 1960 INVENT OR.

E RNST J. DE RIDDER s BY I ,l u ss 52 W AI TORNEYS tet 3 ,1@`1,E2Federated Aug. 20, 1963 3,101,l25 GROUND EFFECT MACHINE Ernst .l. DeRidfier, Henrico County, Va., assignor to Reynohis Metals Company,Richrnond, Va., a cerporaton of Delaware Fiied July 27, 1960, Ser. Ne.45,647 8 Clains. (Cl. 180-7) This invention relates to ground efiectmachine or vehicle of the character which has a superatmosphericpressure air cushion between a lifting area and a cooperating groundsurface.

According to this invention an air cushion with superatmospheric airpressure 'is produced below the lifting area of the machine and abovethe cooperating ground surface. Such air cushion has an open peripheryto the atmosphere between the lifting area and the ground surface. Thelifting power of this ground efiect machine or vehicle is enhanced bythe provision of effective means for maintaining a large proportion ofthe superatmospheric pressure air of the air cushion within thesurrounding periphery and in a manner to prevent undue loss ofsuperatmospheric air from the air cushion outwardly to the atmospherealong such periphery.

The means for producng the air cushion may include a relatively slowspeed, low pressure jet which is downwardly and inwardly directed at arelatively large angle to a horizontal plane along the periphery. Arelatively high pressure, high speed jet is provided outside of, andadjacent to, the low pressure jet, and the high pressure jet isdownwardly and inwardly directed at a relatively smaller angle, orsharper angle, to such horizontal plane. By this Construction the highpressure jet produces an effective barrier or seal around the aircushion and greatly reduces any outward loss of superatmospherc pressureair from the air cushion to the surrounding atmosphere. By thisConstruction the lifting power of the machine is greatly increased, andis maintained at a high standard of operation.

A low pressure air supply means, such as a low pressure fan, Suppliesair at relatively low pressure to the low pressure jet and a highpressure air supply means, such as a high pressure fan, Supplies air tothe relatively high pressure high speed jet. The eifectiveness of thiscombination is enhanced, when desired, by having the high pressure airsupply means or fan obtain its air supply from the low pressure airsupply means or fan.

More specifically, the low pressure air fan receives air at atmosphericpressure and Supplies low pressure air to a low pressure plenum chamber,and the plenum chamber supplies low pressure air to the low pressure airjet. A high pressure air fan receives air from the low pressure plenumchamber and Supplies high pressure air to a high pressure plenum chamberwhich Supplies high pressure air to the high pressure air jet.

In an embodiment of this invention the air fans are aligned on a commonshaft. If desired, the common shaft is in the vertical position. Inanother embodiment, the fans are aligned on a common shaft which ishorizontal.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a groundefiect machine or vehicle having one or more of the features hereindisclosed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of lifting aground e'fect machine, which method has one or more of the featuresherein disclosed.

Other objects are apparent from this description, and/ or theaccompany'ng drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a diagrammatic vertical cross-section of an embodiment ofthis invention.

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross-section of a portion of an embodimentsomewhat sinilar to FIGURE 1, with the jet constructions slightlymodified. i

FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross-section of another embodirnent of thisinvention, taken along line 3--3 of FIG- URE 4.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-section along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

In FIGURE '1, a ground efiect machine or vehicle is generally designatedby the numeral 10. The machine or vehicle has an air lifting area alongits under surface 12 which is above a cooperating ground surfaceindicated by the line 14-. An air cushion 16 of super-atmosphericpressure air is produced below the lifting area 12 and above the groundsurface 14. 'Ile air cushion 16 has an open periphery which is open tothe atmosphere between the area 12 and the ground surface 14. Thisperiphery is indicated, in general, by the vertical lines 18 and 20.These lines diagrammatically indicate a periphery or peripheral zonewhich extends completely around the general lifting perimeter of themachine 10.

Means for producng the air cushion 16 may include a relativelyslowspeed, low pressure jet 22 which is downwardly and inwardly directed ata relatively large angle 2241 to a horizontal plane, such as the planeof the ground surface 14.

The means for maintaining the air cushion may also include a relativelyhigh pressure, high speed jet 24 which is downwardly and inwardlydirected at a relatively smaller, or sharper, angle %a to the horizontalplane,

which may be the ground surface 14.

The words "ground surface are intended to describe any suitablycooperating surface underneath the vehicle. Such ground surface may beactual ground, such as a road, a field, and the like; Alternatively, theground surface need not be ground in the ordinary sense of the word, butmay also include liquid surfaces, such as swamps, rivers, lakes, oceans,and the like. The ground surface may also be a combination of water andground, such as where water and ground merge together along a shore lineor along a very shallow surface of water.

A low pressure air supply means is generally indicated by the numeral236 and this may be in the form of a low pressure fan 28 which receivesatmospheric air from the atmosphere 30 adjacent to the vehicle, andforces such air at relatively low pressure along the plenum chamber 32to the low pressure jet 22. Such relatively low pressure air is atsuperatmospherc air pressure, however.

A high pressure `supply means, or fan 34, Supplies air `at relativelyhigh pressure, *along the high pressure plenum chamber :Construction 36,38 to supply air at relatively high pressure to the high speed jet 24.The radial tubes 36 receive the air fromfan 34 'and dischange it [intoannular chamber 38. The high pressure air supply means or fan 34 obtainsits air supply prefenably from the low pressure air supply means 23,through the inlet 36', which is located in the low pressure plenumchamber '32. The relatively high pressure air is also atsuperatmospheric air pressure.

For example, the high pressure fan 34 may pick up only from /5 to /2 ofthe air Volume furnished iby the low pressure fan 23, to supply the highpressure jet 24.

The peripheral jet 24 of the higher air pressure has a much smalleropening than the p eripheral jet 22 of the low pressure Construction, toproduce the higher air speed of jet 24.

The outside higher air speed of the jet stream produces a high pressure,relatively fast air curtain 40 which has a much higher m'r speed thancan be produced by the low pressure plenum chamber 32 which supplies lowpressure air to the inner peripheral low pressure jet 22. Consequently,the jet 22 produces -a relatively slow air stream.

The slower *air speed of the jet stream from low pressure jet 22produces :a low pressure, relatively slow, air

air of the air cushion 16 within the surrounding pertiphery Referring toFIGURE 2, the relatively high pressure,

high speed jet 50 has a smaller or sharper angle 52 with respect to ahorizontal plane 54 than the angle 58 of the relatively low speed, lowpressure jet 60.

The outside high pressure jet air stream or curtain 62 has aconsiderably higher speed than the low pressure, slow speed air streamor curtain 64. When the our tains 62 and 64 touch, together an inwar dlyturnin-g tunb ulenoe is :created adding somewhat to 'the scaling eflfectaround the air cushion 65. l

' To cut down the speed of the air flow in the area between the innerjet stream 64 and the outer jet stream 62, the vehicle bottom can becurved as shown at 66. This curvature 66 improves the scaling propertyof the high speed outer jet stream or curtain 62.

If desired, the outlet of the outer jet 50 may be located in a lowerplane than the outlet of the low pressure jet 60..

This also produces a beneficial scaling efiect.

The high pressure jet 50 may be supplied from a high pressure plenumchamber 68, which may comespond to the high pressure plenum chamber36-38 of FIGURE 1. The low pressure jet 60 may be suppliedwith lowpressure air from the low pressure plenum chamber 70', which may 'besupplied with low pressure air a manner similar to that shown inconnection with low pressure plenum chamber 32 of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 1 shows the fans 28 *and 34 ali-gned on a common shaft 72 whichis substantially vertical. The shaf-t 72 may be driven by any suitablemeans, not shown, such as an internal combustion engine,` electricmotor, and the like, which may be directly connected to the shatt 72.Alternatively, the driving means may be connected to the shaft 72 by anysuitable transmission, such :as a belt drive, gear and shaft drive,fiexible shaft drive, :and the like. The 'driving means may be placedeither in one of the plenum chambers, or on the surface or platform 74.'If desired, the engine may be a vertical shaft engine with a driveshaft aligned with .and connected to the shaft 72 and spaced` above theinlet 76 of the fan 28, so that the atmospheric air may enter the fan 28through -an annular space between the internal combustion engine and theair inlet 76. The internal combust-ion engine or motor may be in theplenum chamber 32 and may be connected by a belt drive or shaft drivewith the shaft 72. The engine or motor may be in the plenum chamber 36,38, if desired. Any other type of connection may be used, if 'desired.

'FIGURES 3 'and 4 show :a construc-tion in which the [fans are connectedto a horizontal shaft, and in which the driving means or engine isdrivingly connected -to such horizontal shaft.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 3 and 4 a ground effect .machine `80 has alifting area produced by the lower ifting surface `82 of the machine.The lifting area 82 cooperates with the ground surface 84, which may .bethe surface of ground, swamp, river, lake or ocean and the like or anycombination thereof. An air cushion 86 is produced below the area 82 andabove the ground surface 84, such air cushion being of superatmosphe'icair pressure. The cushion *86 has an open periphery surrounding the area86, and is indicated by the idotted lines 87.

-Means are provided to maintain the air cushion 86 at superatrnosphericpressure, and such means may include a low pressure jet 92 which is'downwar dly and inwardly direoted 'at a relatively large angle 92:: toa horizontal 4 plane 94. The jet 92 extends along the open periphery 87of the air cushion 86.

The low pressure jet 92 produces a penipheral, slow speed, air stream orcurtain 8'8 or which sur-rounds the 'air cushion 86.

A melatively high pressure, high speed, jet 96 is downwardly andinwardly direc ted at a relatively smaller or sharper angle 96a withrespect to the horizontal plane 94. The jet 96 produces an `air streamor curtain 98 of relatively high speed Compared to the slow speed airstream or curtain 88, 90, which is produced by the jet 92. This produces a scaling zone 100 which holds a large proportion of the lowpressure, superatmo'spheric air within the air cushion 86, and increasesthe lifting power of the ground effect machine, 80.

A relatively low pressure airsupply means or plenum chamber 101, 102Supplies low superatmospheric pressure air to the low pressure jet 92.The low pressure supply or plenum 101, 102 :is supplied with air -atrelatinelylow pressure by the low pressure fan 104, which receivesatmospheric air *from the surrounding atmosphere 106, through the inlet1108, :and dischanges this atmosphenic air at a rel-atively lowsuperatmospheric air pressure into the plenumpamageway 101 and throughthe passageway 108 to the low pressure plenum passageway 102.

A high pressure air supply means or plenum chanber 110, 112, and 114.supplies superatmospheric pressure air at relatively high pressure tothe high pressure jet 96.

-The high pressure air supply means 110, 112 and 114 receives air fromthe low pressure air supply means 101 through the intake 116 of the highpressure fan 118. The high pressure fan 118 discharges into theconnected horizontal passageways 110, 112 and 114, so that the highpressure air is discharged into the high pressure jet 96. TheConstruction is such that the slow speed, low pressure air curtain 88,90 of the low pressure jet 92, which extends completely 'around theperiphery 87 of the air cushion 86 produces a relatively lowsuperatmospheric air pressure in the air cushion 86. The high pressureperipheral' jet 96 produces a high pressure, high speed curtain 98',which confines the superatmospheric air in the air cushion by theconfining zone 100 and tends to prevent outward discharge of the`cushion air along the open periphery 87 into the atmosphere. Therelationship of the jet 96 to the jet 92 is substantially the same asthe previously described relati onship. of the jet 24 to the jet 22.Accordingly, a detailed description thereof is not repeated.

` The fans 104 and 118 -are drivingly connected to the horizontal shaft120, 122, which in turn is connected to the source of power, such as theinternal combustion engine 124. Alternatively, the shaft 120, 122 may bev connected to any other source of power, such as an electric motor andthe like.

If desired, the space 126, in which the engine 124 or the like islocated', may be at the pressure of the atmosphere 106, and may beconnected thereto if desired. Alternatively, the space 124 may have apressure substantially the same as the pressure in the low pressureplenum 101, 102, in which case such space 126 may be connected by asuitable passageway, not shown, with such plenum 101, 102.Alternatively, the space 126 may be a high pressure space of substantially the same pressure as the high pressure plenum 110, 112, and 114,in which case such space 126 may be connected, by a suitable opening oropenings, not shown, to the high pressure plenum 110, 112, and 114.

The engine 124 may exhaus t into the space 126, or it may -be providedwith discharge or exhaust pipe, not

`louvres, additional fans which may be turned in any desired direction,etc., as desired.

in the operation of the emhodiments of the invention hcrein specificallydisclosed, atmospheric 'air from the surrounding atniosphere 30 or 1% israised to a relatively low superatrnospheric pressure by the fans 28 or1% and is discharged into the relatively low pressure plenum chamhers 32or or 191, lim. Part of this relatively low superatrnospheric pressureair is delivered to the lo-w pressure jets 22, 60 'or 92. Another partof this low prcssure air is delivered to the intakes se' or 116 of thehigh pressure fans 34 or 118, where such air is raised to a relativelyhigh, superatmospheric air pressure and is discharged to the highpressure plenum chambers 36, 38, or 63, or 116 112, 114. These highpressure plenum chanbers respectivcly deliver high pressure air to thehigh pressure jets 24, 50, or 96.

The low pressure jets 22, 6@ and 92 respectively produce lowsuperatmosphericpressure, relatively slow air curtains 42, se, or 88,96, which respectively surround the relatively low superatnosphericpressure air cushions 16, 65' or 86. The high pressure jets 24, 5@ and96 respectively produce high pressure, relatively fast air curtains 441,62 or 93, which are adjacent to and surround the slow air curtains 42,64 and 83, ?ti

The high speed curtains 40, 6201" 98 confine the respective slow speedcurtains 42, 64 and 88, 913, and the respective air cushions 16, 65 andSto reduce materially .the outward flow of superatmospherie air from therespectve air cushions, past their respective open peripheries to thesurrounding atmosphere.

This action materially increases the lifting powers oi' the liftingareas of the respective ground efiect ma chines disclosed.

Hence a relatively simple and efficient ground efieot machineConstruction has been provided by this invention.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed asrequired by the statutes, other forms may be used, `all coming withinthe scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination: a ground eti'ect machine having a liftir g area abovea cooperating ground surface to define an air cushion between said areaand surface; a downwardly directed relatively low pressure annular airjet along the periphery of said air cushion directed downwardly at arelatively large angle to a horizontal plane; a downwardly and inwardlydirected rel-atively high pressure annular jet around said low pressureair jet at a relatively small angle to said horizontal plane to aid inscaling said air cushion under said lifting area; a low pressure air fanre'ceiving air at atmospheric pressure and supplying low pressure air toa low pressure plenum charnber, said low pressnre plenum chambersupplying said low pressure air to said low pressure air jet; and a highp-ressure air fan receiving air from said low pressurc plenum charnherand supplying high pressure air to said high p-ressure air jet.

2. A combination according to claim 1 in which said fans are aligned ona common shaf t.

-3, A combination according to claim 1 in which said fans are aligned ona common shat and in which said shaft is vertical.

4. A combination according to claim 1 in which said fans are aligned ona common shaft and in which said shaft is horizontal. v

5. in comhination: a ground efect machine having a lifting area above acooperating ground surface to define an air cushion between said areaand surface; a downwardly directed relatively low pressure air jet alongthe periphery of said air cushion directed downwardly at a relativelylarge angle to a horizontal plane; means supplying relatively lowpressure air to said low pressure jet; a downwardly and inwardlydirected relatively high pressure air jet around said 'low pressure airjet at a relatively small angle to said horizontal plane to aid inscaling said air cushion under said lifting area; and means supplyingrelatively high pressure air .to said high pressur'e jet; said meanssupplying low pressure air 'to said low pressure jet comprising a lowpressure air fan receiving air at atmospheric pressure and supplying lowpressure air to a low pressure plenurn chamber, which chamber Supplieslow pressure air to said low pressure air jet; said means supplyng highpressure air to said high pressure jet comprising a high pressure airfan receivirg air from said low pressure plenum chamber and supplyinghigh pressure air to said high pressure air jet.

6. A combination according to claim 5 in which said fans are aligned ona common shaft.

7. A combination according to claim 5 in which said fans are aligned ona common shaft and in which said shaft is vertical.

8. A oombination according to claim 5 in which said fans are a-ligned ona common shaft and in which said shaft is horizontal.

Symposium on Ground Effect Phenomenzf'; Oct. 21- 23, 1959; pages111-118, 149, 240 and 389 reliecl on.

1. IN COMBINATION: A GROUND EFFECT MACHINE HAVING A LIFTING AREA ABOVE ACOOPERATING GROUND SURFACE TO DEFINE AN AIR CUSHION BETWEEN SAID AREAAND SURFACE; A DOWNWARDLY DIRECTED RELATIVELY LOW PRESSURE ANNULAR AIRJET ALONG THE PERIPHERY OF SAID AIR CUSHION DIRECTED DOWNWARDLY AT ARELATIVELY LARGE ANGLE TO A HORIZONTAL PLANE; A DOWNWARDLY AND INWARDLYDIRECTED RELATIVELY HIGH PRESSURE ANNULAR JET AROUND SAID LOW PRESSUREAIR JET AT A RELATIVELY SMALL ANGLE TO SAID HORIZONTAL PLANE TO AID INSEALING SAID AIR CUSHION UNDER SAID LIFTING AREA; A LOW PRESSURE AIR FANRECEIVING AIR AT ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE AND SUPPLYING LOW PRESSURE AIR TOA LOW PRESSURE PLENUM CHAMBER, SAID LOW PRESSURE PLENUM CHAMBERSUPPLYING SAID LOW PRESSURE AIR TO SAID LOW PRESSURE AIR JET; AND A HIGHPRESSURE AIR FAN RECEIVING AIR FROM SAID LOW PRESSURE PLENUM CHAMBER ANDSUPPLYING HIGH PRESSURE AIR TO SAID HIGH PRESSURE AIR JET.